Which frame for a fixed tour? (AK to Mexico)

So I posted this question up in the fixed gear subforum as well, but was curious to see what the touring crowd thinks of this question.

I am looking for a frame to ride on an unsupported fixed tour down the continent that a buddy and I are doing for charity.

My last tour was an unsupported solo ride going north up the pacific coast on a lemond poprad, traveling lightweight. I only ran two rear panniers, and they were both about halfway full, I could of easily fit everything in one pannier but the weight distribution was awkward.

Figured we would make this one a bit tougher by never stopping pedaling. Plus we are going to be traveling very quickly, hoping to average between 80 and 120ish miles a day. We only have about 50 days for a 4000 mile ride, so efficiency is a necessity.

So forget the possibility of the task, because its going to happen. I am just wondering which frame would be the best tool for the job.

I think I am going to be traveling even lighter than my previous ride, only running a (big) saddlebag and a front rack as a water carrying system. Because there are two of us this time, it will be easier to distribute the weight.

So down to the frame qualifications...

-I dont really have any interest in a touring frame, too heavy and upright position wise.
-no vertical dropouts.
-steel.
-eyelets on the fork would be nice, but not necessarily an absolute need.
-no real need for a frame that can carry a lot of weight. Rider and gear should only weight about 160-180 pounds (depending on water).
-needs to accept big tires.

My fixie commuter is a Raleigh One Way. It's steel with horizontal drops. It has eyelets that would accommodate a front and rear rack. It actually wouldn't be a bad way to go for a fixed touring bike the way I have it set up. I've got a S3X (three speed fixed) rear hub, and an XFDD drum brake/dynamo front hub, which runs my lights. Of course, it doesn't come standard with those hubs, and the reliability of the S3X is still unproven. I didn't buy/build this bike for touring, but the thought has crossed my mind that it would work for that purpose.

IMHO- contact an Orthopedic surgeon before starting your trip. He/She can advise you about your "kneeds" and schedule some postop rehab. Perhaps they might advise you to get a few gears, even the cool three speed fixed posted above would be fine. Plus the Ortho might suggest the ability to coast somewhere may be a "kneeded' pleasure along the way.

IMHO- contact an Orthopedic surgeon before starting your trip. He/She can advise you about your "kneeds" and schedule some postop rehab. Perhaps they might advise you to get a few gears, even the cool three speed fixed posted above would be fine. Plus the Ortho might suggest the ability to coast somewhere may be a "kneeded' pleasure along the way.

ha..

The real trouble is the 100 miles a day thing. Its doable, but in reality a fixed tour over varied terrain will need to be at a very low gearing to accommodate hills, loads, and knee health. Geared very low, however, it will be a long day of spinning to cover 100 miles/day.... I would use a dingle cog and double chainrings... and maybe even a flip flop hub with two dingle cogs, for four fixed wheel speeds. This would at least allow for climbing versus descending versus flat days.... I used to tour on fixed wheel in England, but its flat there so it makes a bit more sense...

Since the OP asked us not to chime in about whether its a good idea, I will simply say think VERY carefully about gearing, and bring some options...

The real trouble is the 100 miles a day thing. Its doable, but in reality a fixed tour over varied terrain will need to be at a very low gearing to accommodate hills, loads, and knee health. Geared very low, however, it will be a long day of spinning to cover 100 miles/day.... I would use a dingle cog and double chainrings... and maybe even a flip flop hub with two dingle cogs, for four fixed wheel speeds. This would at least allow for climbing versus descending versus flat days.... I used to tour on fixed wheel in England, but its flat there so it makes a bit more sense...

Fair enough. I was planning on just carrying 3-4 cogs and a lockring tool with a flip flop the whole trip anyway until I saw these dingle cogs. I am definitely running a flip flop with 2 sets of dingle cogs on it, one side heavy, one side light.

On my last trip I rode with two front chainrings and a road cluster in the rear, so no "climbing" gear by touring standards. I figure I really only needed 3 or 4 different gears that entire ride, and I predominately rode two, and rarely (even on hill climbs) did I get down into my lowest gears.

I am planning on being ready for at least 4 different scenarios. (which I will be testing during my training this spring)

That should about cover me. And use of the latter should be rare once I get out of AK. There are only a few really big hills on the pacific coast. And those hills are big enough to take a minute and switch gears.

And I would rather worry about sore knees than whether or not that variable three speed will hold up.

And this guy won the tour de france on a fixed gear back in 1903... brakeless.

In other news, my buddy who was going with me just blew his knee skiing. Kinda ironic.

So are you not planning on bringing camping and cooking gear? That's what always puts me into the multiple pannier setups. If you are credit carding it you can pack really light, and I don't think you will have any problems.

So are you not planning on bringing camping and cooking gear? That's what always puts me into the multiple pannier setups. If you are credit carding it you can pack really light, and I don't think you will have any problems.

I hope you're making an informed decision. Personally I don't think it's going to happen. In any case, Surly Cross Check. Set your rear wheel at the very back of the dropouts and your rear fender directly on the chainstay bridge. That way you won't have to deflate your tire every time you want to remove the wheel. Try to avoid glacier country. Good luck.

I'd reccomend either the Raleigh One-Way or the Handsome Cycles Handsome Devil. They are both relatively low trail which may be helpful in your water carrying on a front rack. If you plan on carrying heavy weight, up high, on a front rack a normal bikes front end geo. may get a little sluggish.

I have a Bianchi San Jose and it's great. I did have to change out the seatpost (couldn't support the saddle over bumps) and the wheels died quickly, though newer models have better wheels. I also changed out the chainring, seat, and tires, but all that was related to personal preference. It's very comfortable and has full rack eyelets front (low rider) and back.

Regarding fenders: I've never had trouble getting the rear wheel out -- I just set the last bit of the fender out a little more than usual.